How to Make a No-Sew Sheer Fabric Swag

Use a plain or a printed sheer for your pole swags.

A sheer fabric swag adds dimension to a sheer drapery treatment. It softens the edges of the drapes and adds a bit of whimsy to the overall design. A sheer swag features the curtain rod and can be constructed by the home non-sewer. Make one swag to start, and for added panache, make two or three of contrasting fabric and intertwine them.

1

Hang your curtain rod in the chosen location. Consider how the fabric will lay over the rod when considering your bracket placement, and leave enough space between the end of the rod and the outside edge of the bracket.

2

Measure from the proposed bottom edge of the swag on the left, up to the rod, across the rod and down to the proposed right bottom edge.

3

Cut a length of sheer fabric to this length plus two inches. Typically, sheer fabric is 60 inches wide. If your fabric is wider, you can either use it at the given width or cut the fabric to 60 inches wide. If you cut it, fuse the cut edges as you do the end hems. Fabric narrower than 60 inches must be seamed, and these seams will be visible in the finished swag; avoid this by choosing fabric a minimum of 60 inches wide.

4

Turn the raw edges of the swag over 1/2 inch twice and press the folds.

5

Insert 1/4-inch-wide fusible webbing into the hem and fuse it in place following the manufacturer’s instructions.

6

Lay the fabric flat on the table and fan fold it into an even number of folds of five or six inches wide. It is helpful to have someone assist in the fan folding.

7

Smooth the layers and folds, making sure they are as even and straight as possible.

8

Tie several strings around the folded swag to hold the folds in place.

9

Lay the folded swag on the rod, allowing the center to dip down, with the lowest point of the swag sitting at the lowest point you wish for the finished swag. The swag is draped over the front of the rod; the ends fall down the back of the rod. Orient the fold on the top and bottom layer toward the room. The long edges of the sheer orient toward the wall.

10

Adjust the placement so the amount hanging down each side is even. Remove the strings.

11

Work back and forth between the sides: Starting with the top fold, lift the folds of the swags where they cross over the rod to the back and gently tug them to the right, on the right-hand edge, or to the left, on the left-hand edge. Adjust the folds one at a time until the top section of the swag rests straight along the rod.

Things You Will Need

About the Author

Linda Erlam started writing educational manuals in 1979. She also writes a biweekly newspaper column, "Design Dilemmas," in the "Lakeshore News" and has been published in "Design and Drapery Pro" magazine. Erlam is a graduate of the Sheffield School of Interior Design and is a practicing interior decorator and drapery workroom operator.